Pyrotechnic to electrical relay switch for ejection assembly

ABSTRACT

An energy conversion system may comprise a connector defining a first chamber and a second chamber. An ignition compound may be located in the first chamber. The ignition compound may comprise a material that produces a conductive combustion product. A first electrode may be coupled to the connector and located in the second chamber. A second electrode may be coupled to the connector and located in the second chamber. The second electrode may be electrically isolated from the first electrode.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to energy conversion systems, and morespecifically, to an energy conversion system configured to convertpyrotechnic energy to an electrical signal in an ejection assembly.

BACKGROUND

Ejection seats are designed to expel pilots from an aircraft. Deploymentof the ejection seat and/or the ejection seat subsystems (e.g.,parachute mortars, harness release thruster, etc.) may occur in responseto a pyrotechnic event. For example, the time delay for deploying theejection seat and/or one or more of the ejection seat subsystems may becontrolled by firing pyrotechnic devices of varying time delays. It maybe desirable to control the time delays via an electric signal. However,current ejection systems lack a system for converting a pyrotechnicsignal into an electrical signal.

SUMMARY

An energy conversion system is disclosed herein. In accordance withvarious embodiments, the energy conversion system may comprise aconnector defining a first chamber and a second chamber, and an ignitioncompound located in the first chamber. The ignition compound maycomprise a material that produces a conductive combustion product.

In various embodiments, the connector may define a first receptacleconfigured to locate a first electrode in the second chamber and asecond receptacle configured to locate a second electrode in the secondchamber. In various embodiments, a first electrode may be coupled to theconnector and located in the second chamber. A second electrode may becoupled to the connector and located in the second chamber. The secondelectrode may be electrically isolated from the first electrode.

In various embodiments, the first electrode and the second electrode maybe electrically isolated from the connector. In various embodiments, aseal may separate the first chamber from the second chamber. In variousembodiments, the ignition compound may comprise a mixture of aluminumand copper oxide.

In various embodiments, a power supply may be electrically coupled tothe first electrode. The power supply may be thermally coupled to theignition compound.

An assembly is also disclosed herein. In accordance with variousembodiments, the assembly may comprise a pyrotechnic input configured toundergo an exothermic chemical reaction and an energy conversion systemoperationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input. The energy conversionsystem may comprise a connector and an ignition compound. The connectormay be coupled to the pyrotechnic input and may define a first chamberand a second chamber. The ignition compound may be located in the firstchamber and may comprise a material that produces a conductivecombustion product.

In various embodiments, the ignition compound may comprise a mixture ofaluminum and copper oxide. In various embodiments, the ignition compoundmay be operationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input such that acombustion product of the exothermic chemical reaction of thepyrotechnic input ignites the ignition compound.

In various embodiments, an actuator may be configured to initiate theexothermic chemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input. In variousembodiments, a first electrode may be coupled to the connector andlocated in the second chamber, and a second electrode may be coupled tothe connector and located in the second chamber. The second electrodemay be electrically isolated from the first electrode.

In various embodiments, a power supply may be electrically coupled tothe first electrode. In various embodiments, a controller may beelectrically coupled to the second electrode. The controller may beconfigured to receive a first electrical signal from the secondelectrode and output a second electrical signal a predetermined timedelay after receiving the first electrical signal.

An ejection assembly is also disclosed herein. In accordance withvarious embodiments, the ejection assembly may comprise an ejectionseat, an ejection handle configured to initiate an ejection sequence forthe ejection seat in response to an actuation of the ejection handle, apyrotechnic input operationally coupled to the ejection handle, and anenergy conversion system operationally coupled to the pyrotechnic input.The actuation of the ejection handle may be configured initiate anexothermic chemical reaction within the pyrotechnic input. The energyconversion system may comprise a connector and an ignition compound. Theconnector may be coupled to the pyrotechnic input and may define a firstchamber and a second chamber. The ignition compound may be located inthe first chamber. The ignition compound may comprise a material thatproduces a conductive combustion product.

In various embodiments, the ignition compound may be operationallycoupled to the pyrotechnic input such that a combustion product of theexothermic chemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input ignites theignition compound. In various embodiments, a first electrode and asecond electrode may be coupled to the connector and located in thesecond chamber. The second electrode may be electrically isolated fromthe first electrode.

In various embodiments, a power supply may be electrically coupled tothe first electrode. In various embodiments, a controller may beelectrically coupled to the second electrode. The controller may beconfigured to receive a first electrical signal from the secondelectrode and output a second electrical signal a predetermined timedelay after receiving the first electrical signal.

In various embodiments, a catapult driver may be configured to ignite apropulsion system of the ejection seat. The second electrical signal maybe configured to deploy the catapult driver.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated hereinotherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of thefollowing description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In thefollowing figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements andsteps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates ejection seats being launched from an aircraftcockpit, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an ejection seat, in accordancewith various embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates an energy conversion system prior to ignition of anignition compound of the energy conversion system, in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates the energy conversion system of FIG. 3A afterignition of the ignition compound, in accordance with variousembodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a power supply thermally coupled an ignition compoundof an energy conversion system, in accordance with various embodiments.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to anyparticular sequence. For example, steps that may be performedconcurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures tohelp to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way ofillustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosures, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that logical changes and adaptations in design andconstruction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and theteachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented forpurposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. Forexample, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptionsmay be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to theorder presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes pluralembodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step mayinclude a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to tacked,attached, fixed, coupled, connected or the like may include permanent,removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachmentoption. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similarphrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surfaceshading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote differentparts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

The present disclosure provides an energy conversion system, wherein apyrotechnic signal is translated into an electronic signal by completinga circuit. In various embodiments, the energy conversion system isconfigured to ignite an ignition compound (for example, copper thermite)located in a connector. The ignition compound may be located in a firstchamber of the connector. Two electrodes may be located in a secondchamber of the connector, separate from the ignition compound. Theelectrodes may be electrically isolated from one another by a physicalseparation between the electrodes. In response to combustion of ignitioncompound, a conductive byproduct of the combustion reaction flows intothe second chamber. The conductive byproduct electrically connects thetwo electrodes, thereby allowing an electrical signal to flow betweenthe electrodes. The disclosed energy conversion system may be employedat the output or interface of a pyrotechnic device (e.g., a shock tube)and/or anywhere there is a desire to convert the energy output from apyrotechnic device into an electronical signal.

System program instructions and/or controller instructions may be loadedonto a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium (also referredto herein as a tangible, non-transitory, memory) having instructionsstored thereon that, in response to execution by a controller, cause thecontroller to perform various operations. The term “non-transitory” isto be understood to remove only propagating transitory signals per sefrom the claim scope and does not relinquish rights to all standardcomputer-readable media that are not only propagating transitory signalsper se. Stated another way, the meaning of the term “non-transitorycomputer-readable medium” and “non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium” should be construed to exclude only those types of transitorycomputer-readable media which were found in In Re Nuijten to falloutside the scope of patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101.

With reference to FIG. 1, an ejection assembly 100 is shown. Inaccordance with various embodiments, ejection assembly 100 may beinstalled in an aircraft 102 to safely expel a first (or forward)ejection seat 104 from a cockpit 108 of aircraft 102. First ejectionseat 104 may be urged from cockpit 108 by a first (or forward)propulsion system 110, also referred to as a forward seat catapultsystem. In various embodiments, ejection assembly 100 may also expel asecond (or aft) ejection seat 112 from cockpit 108. Second ejection seat112 may be urged from cockpit 108 by a second (or aft) propulsion system114, also referred to as an aft seat catapult system.

Ejection assembly 100 may be configured to control the timing (i.e.,sequence) of deploying various subsystems associated with expellingfirst ejection seat 104 and/or second ejection seat 112 from cockpit108. For example, ejection assembly 100 may be configured to deploy oneor more forward canopy driver(s) 116 configured to remove canopy 118from over first ejection seat 104, one or more aft canopy driver(s) 120configured to remove canopy 118 from over second ejection seat 112, oneor more forward catapult driver(s) 122 configured to ignite propulsionsystem 110 and drive first ejection seat 104 out cockpit 108, and/or oneor more aft catapult driver(s) 124 configured to ignite propulsionsystem 114 and drive second ejection seat 112 out cockpit 108. Asdescribed in further detail below, ejection assembly 100 may beconfigured to deploy each of forward canopy driver(s) 116, aft canopydriver(s) 120, forward catapult driver(s) 122, and/or aft catapultdriver(s) 124 a predetermined time delay after the initiation of theejection sequence. For example, ejection assembly 100 may be configuredsuch that first ejection seat 104 will be expelled prior to secondejection seat 112 or vice versa. While ejection assembly 100 isdescribed as controlling the ejection sequence for a forward ejectionseat and an aft ejection seat aft, it is further contemplated thatunderstood that ejection assembly 100 may include any number (one,three, four, etc.) of ejection seats, with the ejection seat(s) at anylocation (left, right, forward-left, aft-left, forward-right, etc.) incockpit 108.

With reference to FIG. 2, first ejection seat 104 is illustrated, inaccordance with various embodiments. While FIG. 2 describes features offirst ejection seat 104, it is contemplated and understood that secondejection seat 112, with momentary reference to FIG. 1, may include theelements and functionalities as described herein with reference to firstejection seat 104.

First ejection seat 104 includes a seat back 132 and a seat pan 134. Invarious embodiments, an ejection handle 136 may be located, for example,proximate a front side 138 of seat pan 134. Front side 138 of seat pan134 is generally opposite seat back 132. While FIG. 2 shows ejectionhandle 136 located at front side 138, it is further contemplated andunderstood that ejection handle 136 may be located anywhere that isaccessible to an occupant of first ejection seat 104. Ejection handle136 may be configured to initiate an ejection sequence upon actuation.For example, an occupant of ejection seat 104 pulling ejection handle136 in the direction of arrow 140 may initiate the ejection sequence.The ejection sequence may also be initiated without actuation ofejection handle 136, for example, the ejection sequence may be initiatedremotely, or in response to a particular flight condition (e.g., rapidchange in altitude or velocity).

Ejection assembly 100 may be configured to control the timing (i.e.,sequence) of deploying various subsystems of first ejection seat 104.For example, ejection assembly 100 may control deployment of drogueparachute mortar(s) 144, parachute mortar(s) 146, restraint releasethruster(s) 148, rocket motor and stability package (STAPAC) 150, and/orother subsystems of first ejection seat 104. Ejection assembly 100 maybe configured to deploy one or more of drogue parachute mortar(s) 144,parachute mortar(s) 146, restraint release thruster 148, and/or STAPAC150 a predetermined time delay after initiation of the ejectionsequence.

In accordance with various embodiments, initiation of the ejectionsequence (e.g., actuation of ejection handle 136) may cause ignition ofa pyrotechnic input 160. For example, in various embodiments,pyrotechnic input 160 may include a shock tube, a thin layer explosive,an ignition transfer line explosive, or any other pyrotechnic deviceconfigured undergo a combustion and/or exothermic chemical reaction inresponse to actuation of ejection handle 136. In various embodiments,actuation of ejection handle 136 may ignite an ignitor 162 ofpyrotechnic input 160. For example, actuation of ejection handle 136 maycause a hammer or other actuator to strike a percussion primercontaining a pressure-sensitive explosive. In response to the hammerstriking the percussion primer, the explosive ignites or combusts (i.e.,undergoes an exothermic reduction-oxidation reaction), sending a streamof hot gas (i.e., the product of the exothermic reduction-oxidationreaction) through pyrotechnic input 160. In various embodiments, a layerof energetic material may be located along an inner diameter ofpyrotechnic input 160.

In accordance with various embodiments, pyrotechnic input 160 isoperationally coupled to an energy conversion system 180. As describedin further detail below, energy conversion system 180 is configured toallow the energy produced by the combustion reaction of pyrotechnicinput 160 to facilitate the output of an electrical signal. Theelectrical signal may initiate a time delay for deploying one of theejection assembly 100 subsystems. For example, with combined referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical signal may be configured to cause adeployment of one or more of forward canopy driver(s) 116, aft canopydriver(s) 120, forward catapult driver(s) 122, aft catapult driver(s)124, drogue parachute mortar(s) 144, parachute mortar(s) 146, restraintrelease thruster 148, and/or STAPAC 150. In various embodiments,ejection assembly 100 may include multiple energy conversion systems 180with each energy conversion system 180 dedicated to a particularevacuation assembly subsystem. For example, a first energy conversionsystem 180 a may facilitate an electrical signal 182 configured tocontrol the timing for deploying forward catapult driver(s) 122, and asecond energy conversion system 180 b may facilitate an electricalsignal 184 configured to control the timing for deploying aft catapultdriver(s) 124. In various embodiments, first energy conversion system180 a and second energy conversion system 180 b may be operationallycoupled to pyrotechnic input 160. For example, in various embodiments,pyrotechnic input 160 may include multiple tubes or conduits configureddeliver the combustion gas to multiple energy conversion systems 180. Invarious embodiments, each energy conversion system 180 may include adedicated pyrotechnic input 160 configured to be ignited in response toinitiation of the ejection sequence (e.g., in response to actuation ofejection handle 136).

With reference to FIG. 3A, an energy conversion system 180 isillustrated. Energy conversion system 180 includes a connector 190 andan ignition compound 200 located in the connector 190. In variousembodiments, ignition compound 200 may be located in a first chamber 202defined by connector 190 and a seal 204 located within connector 190.Seal 204 may separate first chamber 202 from a second chamber 206defined, at least, partially by connector 190. Prior to ignition ofignition compound 200, second chamber 206 may be devoid of ignitioncompound 200. Stated differently, prior to initiation of the ejectionsequence, ignition compound 200 may be contained solely within firstchamber 202, such that no portion of ignition compound 200 is located insecond chamber 206.

Connector 190 may be coupled to pyrotechnic input 160 such that ignitioncompound 200 and first chamber 202 are located at an end 208 ofpyrotechnic input 160. End 208 of pyrotechnic input 160 is opposite(i.e., distal to) ignitor 162 of pyrotechnic input 160, with momentaryreference to FIG. 2. Ignition compound 200 is operationally and/orthermally coupled to pyrotechnic input 160 such that the combustionproduct (e.g., gas) G produced by ignition of pyrotechnic input 160ignites ignition compound 200 (i.e., causes ignition compound 200 toundergo an exothermic reduction-oxidation reaction). Ignition compound200 comprises a material that produces a conductive combustion product.In various embodiments, ignition compound 200 is a mixture of aluminumand copper oxide. Connector 190 may comprise a metal, metal alloy,ceramic, composite, or any desired material capable of withstanding theexothermic reduction-oxidation reaction of ignition compound 200.

Connector 190 is configured to receive a first electrode 192 and asecond electrode 194. In various embodiments, connector 190 may define afirst receptacle 196 configured to receive first electrode 192, and asecond receptacle 198 configured to receive second electrode 194. Stateddifferently, first and second electrodes 192, 194 may be coupled toconnector 190 by locating first and second electrodes 192, 194 in firstand second receptacles 196, 198, respectively. First and secondreceptacles 196, 198 are configured to locate first and secondelectrodes 192, 194, respectively, in second chamber 206. In thisregard, first and second electrodes 192, 194 each extend into secondchamber 206 of connector 190. Prior to ignition of ignition compound200, first and second electrodes 192, 194 are electrically isolated fromone another and from connector 190. In various embodiments, first andsecond electrodes 192, 194 may each include an insulative sheath locatedaround the conductive material (e.g., wires) of the electrode toelectrically isolate the conductive material from connector 190.

FIG. 3B illustrates energy conversion system 180 after ignition ofignition compound 200 in FIG. 3A. Combustion of ignition compound 200(i.e., the exothermic reduction-oxidation reaction) produces aconductive combustion product 210. For example, in various embodiments,conductive combustion product 210 comprises copper, which is produced bythe combustion of ignition compound 200. The conductive copper byproductof the combustion reaction of ignition compound 200 exists temporarilyuntil it is oxidized.

In various embodiments, the combustion of ignition compound 200 isconfigured to remove seal 204 from between first chamber 202 and secondchamber 206 of connector 190, thereby allowing conductive combustionproduct 210 to flow into second chamber 206. For example, the increasedpressure resulting from the combustion of ignition compound 200 maybreak seal 204 and/or the heat resulting from the combustion of ignitioncompound 200 may melt seal 204.

Conductive combustion product 210 electrically connects first electrode192 and second electrode 194, thereby allowing electrical signals totravel from first electrode 192 to second electrode 194. In this regard,conductive combustion product 210 may “close” a circuit formed by firstelectrode 192 and second electrode 194.

A power supply 218 may be electrically connected to first electrode 192.In various embodiments, power supply 218 may be attached to connector190. In various embodiments, power supply 218 may be separate fromconnector 190. Power supply 218 may comprise a thermal battery, alithium battery, a Peltier generator, or any other power supply capablesupplying a current to first electrode 192. In various embodiments,power supply 218 may be activated in response to initiation of theejection sequence. For example, power supply 218 may be operationallycoupled to ejection handle 136, with momentary reference to FIG. 2.Actuation of ejection handle 136 may activate power supply 218. Uponactivation, power supply 218 supplies current to first electrode 192. Invarious embodiments, power supply 218 may be thermally activated. Withmomentary reference to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, power supply 218may be thermally coupled to ignition compound 200 such that ignition ofignition compound 200 activates power supply 218. Stated differently,power supply 218 may be configured to activate and begin outputtingcurrent to first electrode 192 in response to ignition of ignitioncompound 200.

Returning to FIG. 3B, in various embodiments, second electrode 194 iselectrically coupled to a controller 220. Controller 220 may include andcommunicate with one or more processor(s) and one or more tangible,non-transitory memory(ies) 222 and may be capable of implementing logic.The processor can be a general purpose processor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), afield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logicdevice, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware component,or a combination thereof. Controller 220 may be configured to output anelectrical signal 224 in response to receiving an electrical signal fromsecond electrode 194. Controller 220 may output electrical signal 224 apredetermined time delay after receiving the electrical signal fromsecond electrode 194. Electrical signal 224 may cause deployment of oneor more of the ejection assembly subsystems (e.g., deployment of forwardcanopy driver(s) 116, aft canopy driver(s) 120, forward catapultdriver(s) 122, and/or aft catapult driver(s) 124 in FIG. 1). In thisregard, energy conversion system 180 is configured to use the energygenerated by the ignition of pyrotechnic input 160 to electricallyconnect first electrode 192 and second electrode 194, and thereby causean electrical signal 224 to be output a predetermined time delay afterignition of pyrotechnic input 160.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the disclosures. The scope of the disclosures is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims and their legalequivalents, in which reference to an element in the singular is notintended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, butrather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least oneof A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase beinterpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, Balone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in anembodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may bepresent in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C,or A and B and C.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “various embodiments”, “oneembodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicatethat the embodiment described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarilyinclude the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover,such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment.Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic isdescribed in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it iswithin the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature,structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodimentswhether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, itwill be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implementthe disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C.112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “meansfor.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list ofelements does not include only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. An energy conversion system, comprising: aconnector defining a first chamber and a second chamber; and an ignitioncompound located in the first chamber, the ignition compound comprisinga material that produces a conductive combustion product.
 2. The energyconversion system of claim 1, wherein the connector defines a firstreceptacle configured to locate a first electrode in the second chamber,and wherein the connector defines a second receptacle configured tolocate a second electrode in the second chamber.
 3. The energyconversion system of claim 1, further comprising: a first electrodecoupled to the connector and located in the second chamber; and a secondelectrode coupled to the connector and located in the second chamber,wherein the second electrode is electrically isolated from the firstelectrode.
 4. The energy conversion system of claim 3, wherein the firstelectrode and the second electrode are electrically isolated from theconnector.
 5. The energy conversion system of claim 4, furthercomprising a seal separating the first chamber from the second chamber.6. The energy conversion system of claim 5, wherein the ignitioncompound comprises a mixture of aluminum and copper oxide.
 7. The energyconversion system of claim 6, further comprising a power supplyelectrically coupled to the first electrode, wherein the power supply isthermally coupled to the ignition compound.
 8. An assembly, comprising:a pyrotechnic input configured to undergo an exothermic chemicalreaction; and an energy conversion system operationally coupled to thepyrotechnic input, the energy conversion system comprising: a connectorcoupled to the pyrotechnic input, the connector defining a first chamberand a second chamber; and an ignition compound located in the firstchamber, the ignition compound comprising a material that produces aconductive combustion product.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein theignition compound comprises a mixture of aluminum and copper oxide. 10.The assembly of claim 9, wherein the ignition compound is operationallycoupled to the pyrotechnic input such that a combustion product of theexothermic chemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input ignites theignition compound.
 11. The assembly of claim 10, further comprising anactuator configured to initiate the exothermic chemical reaction of thepyrotechnic input.
 12. The assembly of claim 11, further comprising: afirst electrode coupled to the connector and located in the secondchamber; and a second electrode coupled to the connector and located inthe second chamber, wherein the second electrode is electricallyisolated from the first electrode.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, furthercomprising a power supply electrically coupled to the first electrode.14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a controllerelectrically coupled to the second electrode, wherein the controller isconfigured to receive a first electrical signal from the secondelectrode and output a second electrical signal a predetermined timedelay after receiving the first electrical signal.
 15. An ejectionassembly, comprising: an ejection seat; an ejection handle configured toinitiate an ejection sequence for the ejection seat in response to anactuation of the ejection handle; a pyrotechnic input operationallycoupled to the ejection handle, wherein the actuation of the ejectionhandle is configured initiate an exothermic chemical reaction within thepyrotechnic input; and an energy conversion system operationally coupledto the pyrotechnic input, the energy conversion system comprising: aconnector coupled to the pyrotechnic input, the connector defining afirst chamber and a second chamber; and an ignition compound located inthe first chamber, the ignition compound comprising a material thatproduces a conductive combustion product.
 16. The ejection assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the ignition compound is operationally coupled to thepyrotechnic input such that a combustion product of the exothermicchemical reaction of the pyrotechnic input ignites the ignitioncompound.
 17. The ejection assembly of claim 16, further comprising: afirst electrode coupled to the connector and located in the secondchamber; and a second electrode coupled to the connector and located inthe second chamber, wherein the second electrode is electricallyisolated from the first electrode.
 18. The ejection assembly of claim17, further comprising a power supply electrically coupled to the firstelectrode.
 19. The ejection assembly of claim 18, further comprising acontroller electrically coupled to the second electrode, wherein thecontroller is configured to receive a first electrical signal from thesecond electrode and output a second electrical signal a predeterminedtime delay after receiving the first electrical signal.
 20. The ejectionassembly of claim 19, further comprising a catapult driver configured toignite a propulsion system of the ejection seat, wherein the secondelectrical signal is configured to deploy the catapult driver.